Richmond is projected to receive 2 to 4 inches of snow on Tuesday, with areas north of the region expecting to see higher totals, according to the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Wakefield.
As of 10:03 a.m. Monday, a winter storm watch was in effect for Richmond, as well as areas stretching from Prince Edward County to parts of the Northern Neck.
Fluvanna, Louisa, Caroline, Lancaster and Westmoreland counties are under a winter storm warning and could see 4 to 8 inches of snow, said Harry Thomas, a forecaster with the NWS.
A person walks through snow in Monroe Park in January. Some central Virginia schools decided to close due to the weather forecast for Tuesday.
Snowfall is set to begin in central Virginia on Tuesday around the late morning and early afternoon period and continue until it transitions into a wintry mix on Tuesday evening.
Around midnight heading into Wednesday, sleet may turn into freezing rain, followed by regular rain by 7 a.m. Rain showers would continue throughout Wednesday into Thursday.
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Thomas said Richmond could see less than a tenth of an inch of ice, with Prince Edward, Cumberland, Fluvanna and Louisa counties looking at up to two-tenths of an inch of ice.
Projected high temperatures include 39 degrees for Wednesday and 56 degrees for Thursday, which would help melt the snow from Tuesday. No flooding is expected outside of areas prone to flooding such as small creek beds.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Monday declared a state of emergency in advance of the storm. As a result, the Virginia Emergency Support Team will be activated.
“With another round of winter weather across the state this week forecasted to bring heavy snow and ice, I am declaring a state of emergency so we can move resources around the state,” Youngkin said in a statement. “I urge all Virginians to monitor your local forecast and to prepare for possible impacts to roadways and infrastructure beginning overnight Monday throughout Tuesday.”
Crews from the Virginia Department of Transportation have been pretreating interstates, major roads and secondary roads with saltwater brine solution in areas where snow and ice are anticipated. VDOT is asking drivers to give the crews extra space while on the roads.
Some central Virginia schools decided to close due to the weather forecast. Chesterfield and Hanover public schools said they would be closed Tuesday, while Richmond and Henrico schools said it would be an asynchronous remote learning day for students.
Virginia State Police are encouraging safe practices for anyone driving during the storm, including using headlights, driving slower, giving other drivers more space, doing vehicle checks and having such items as window scrapers, blankets, phone chargers and flashlights on hand.
Road conditions, forecasts and anticipated travel impacts can be monitored by calling 511, visiting 511virginia.org or downloading the VDOT 511 Virginia traffic app.
In preparation for a multi-day weather event, Dominion Energy is encouraging people to get enough food, particularly nonperishable items, and bottled water for a few days but not to hoard items.
Dominion also advises people to make sure electronic devices, including medical devices, are fully charged.
In terms of safety, Dominion warns that everyone should treat downed wires as being energized and stay at least 30 feet away. Pets should be kept indoors if they are in areas with downed wires.
To help crews deal with any outages, Dominion is asking the public to report downed wires and trees by calling (866) 366-4357, visiting dominionenergy.com or using the Dominion Energy app.
Customers can also track outages through the Dominion website and app.
From the Archives: In 1979, Richmond experienced one of its worst winter storms
02-19-1979: Virginia Commonwealth University students have massive snowball fight.
02-19-1979: Virginia Commonwealth University students have massive snowball fight.
02-20-1979: Snow scene in Richmond during President's Day Storm.
02-20-1979: Grace Street in downtown Richmond during the President's Day Storm.
02-21-1979: City buldozers clear snow from streets in downtown Richmond following President's Day Storm.
02-30-1979: City snow plows clear snow from roads in Richmond area following President's Day Storm.
02-30-1979: City snow plows clear snow from roads in Richmond area following President's Day Storm.
02-30-1979: City snow plows clear snow from roads in Richmond area following President's Day Storm.
02-20-1979: Richmonder enjoy snow day.
02-02-1979: Downtown Expressway tollbooths following President's Day Storm.
02-20-1979: Children build snowmen in median on Monument Avenue.
02-29-1979 (cutline): Herb Proffitt drove his tractor to aid of Don Garber, shoveling his driveway. He pressed his vehicle into service to help neighbors dig out from the big snow.
02-19-1979 (cutline): Workers in essential jobs walked, drove their cars or rode the bus today; eastward view of Broad Street hill shows 'rush hour.'
02-19-1979: President's Day Storm
02-20-1979: People walk to work up Broad Street hill following the snow storm.
02-19-1979 (cutline): Richmond man wonders if snow plows helped or hurt.
02-20-1979: Richmond snow plow at work.
02-20-1979 (cutline): Activites slowed down considerably under the weight of the snow yesterday and a few people went out. But Constance Ramsey, a former Richmond resident and a College of William and Mary gradute, traveled around Williamsburg with little difficulty. After all, skis were designed for such weather; cars weren't.
02-20-1979: Richmond city snow plow clears roads.
02-22-1979: Plows worked to clear roads in downtown Richmond.
02-19-1979: Snow is cleared from shopping center at Glenside and Staples Mill.
02-20-1979: Scene from Patterson Ave. following the President's Day storm.
